KEVIN YOUNG, DIRECTOR
60822 Creek Road
Niles, MI 49120
269-684-3870
kevin60822@sbcglobal.net
JULY/AUGUST 2026 GRANGE NEWS
As I sit here on June 22nd writing this, we have been dealing with cooler than normal temperatures in June and plenty of rain and storms. Just about a week ago, I was out trying to get chores done before it started to storm and I got stuck in my garage for a short bit. It was raining very hard and then I started to hear something besides rain hitting the metal roof. It was pea-sized hail! I had just the chickens left to do, but I couldn’t get out of the garage to even get to the house. Just as I thought I could run for it, it started to hail again but this time it was quarter to golf ball sized hail!! It was so loud in that garage I covered my ears. Luckily, we had no damage from the hail. Just a few miles from here they had so much hail it covered the ground like it had snowed!!
Remember one class that anyone can enter is the class labeled: Any planting in a Unique container. It can be any type of container, but the planting must have grown in the unique container. Keep in mind that you must be able to transport this item to State Session and be able to bring it from your vehicle with little assistance.
Here is hoping your gardens are growing or will be and that your harvest is bountiful. Until the next MGN….
Wow it’s July!? The first 6 months of 2026 have gone by way too fast! I hope everyone that planted a garden kept in mind the Agriculture Department classes for the 2026 State Session. I really hope to have a good turnout in my Department again this year as there were a wonderful number of entries at the 2025 Session.
We are just a few short months now from our 2026 State Session that is being held in Three Rivers. It will be a great time celebrating yet again the 153rd year of the Michigan State Grange.
Fair season is here again. In just two short months the Berrien County Youth Fair will be coming to a close, as it ends on August 22nd. Please go support your local youth by attending a Fair near you. There are plenty of things to see besides the amusement rides and fair food if that isn’t something you care to do. I remember when I was an exhibitor how it felt to have everyone walk by looking at my animals or still exhibits. It is the youth exhibitors’ time to shine for all their hard work during the summer months (or winter too) leading up to entry day.
As I sit here on June 22nd writing this, we have been dealing with cooler than normal temperatures in June and plenty of rain and storms. Just about a week ago, I was out trying to get chores done before it started to storm and I got stuck in my garage for a short bit. It was raining very hard and then I started to hear something besides rain hitting the metal roof. It was pea-sized hail! I had just the chickens left to do, but I couldn’t get out of the garage to even get to the house. Just as I thought I could run for it, it started to hail again but this time it was quarter to golf ball sized hail!! It was so loud in that garage I covered my ears. Luckily, we had no damage from the hail. Just a few miles from here they had so much hail it covered the ground like it had snowed!!
Remember one class that anyone can enter is the class labeled: Any planting in a Unique container. It can be any type of container, but the planting must have grown in the unique container. Keep in mind that you must be able to transport this item to State Session and be able to bring it from your vehicle with little assistance.
Here is hoping your gardens are growing or will be and that your harvest is bountiful. Until the next MGN….
AGRICULTURE
MAY/JUNE 2026 GRANGE NEWS
We are getting things done slowly this year around the little farm due to the crazy weather and busy schedules. I have yet to get the chicken coop cleaned but that is because when I have the time it is either not nice weather or I am too tired and need to just rest! This year we will only have a feeder pig to put in the freezers. I also have a mess in the yard to clean up from the storms back in March. I had a few trees come down and just finally have the extra time to start cutting them up.
It is that time of year for babies of all kinds to be born. Within the last 2 weeks, we have had 3 litters of kittens born. Our momma cats are such good mommas.
Please be mindful that this is the time of year that the country roads and some State Highways will have slow moving farm vehicles on them. If it wasn’t for those farmers and their employees, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to go to farmers’ markets or the grocery stores to get the food needed to feed our families. Please give those big vehicles and tractors as much room as you can without causing problems for yourself or others.
Well, that is all for now. Please remember whenever possible to buy Local or Locally Grown / Made products! Local asparagus is being harvested in my area of the State. It is hard to believe it is time for that already. Our rhubarb has been enjoying all the rain and spike in temperatures this spring.
Until later…
Wow is it Spring, or Summer!!?? April sure has been up and down with the temperatures. We have had tornados, ice storms, flooding, frost… what next!?
How many of you have planted anything in your gardens yet? Things that could have been planted by now would be seed potatoes, onion sets, cold crops (cabbages, etc) and I even think carrots but not sure so please check before you plant them! When planning your garden spots, keep in mind the Ag Classes that you can enter at this year’s Annual State Grange Session. Each class is open to Junior members up to Subordinate members. There are plenty of different classes for all ages and you do not have to live in the Country to do them. I can’t wait to see what Unique containers with plantings come to State Session. Please check the Program Booklet for more details on all classes for each department.
We are getting things done slowly this year around the little farm due to the crazy weather and busy schedules. I have yet to get the chicken coop cleaned but that is because when I have the time it is either not nice weather or I am too tired and need to just rest! This year we will only have a feeder pig to put in the freezers. I also have a mess in the yard to clean up from the storms back in March. I had a few trees come down and just finally have the extra time to start cutting them up.
It is that time of year for babies of all kinds to be born. Within the last 2 weeks, we have had 3 litters of kittens born. Our momma cats are such good mommas.
Please be mindful that this is the time of year that the country roads and some State Highways will have slow moving farm vehicles on them. If it wasn’t for those farmers and their employees, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to go to farmers’ markets or the grocery stores to get the food needed to feed our families. Please give those big vehicles and tractors as much room as you can without causing problems for yourself or others.
Well, that is all for now. Please remember whenever possible to buy Local or Locally Grown / Made products! Local asparagus is being harvested in my area of the State. It is hard to believe it is time for that already. Our rhubarb has been enjoying all the rain and spike in temperatures this spring.
Until later…
